RU2470584C2 - Device for monitoring person's, in particular, baby's state and method of monitoring with application thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: medicine.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to medical equipment and is intended for regular monitoring of human, in particular, baby's body movement. Device contains electronic circuit which includes signalling device, fastening means, elastic flexible projection extending from device, as well as sensor, connected with electronic circuit and tuned at detection of protrusion sagging. Fastening means and protrusion are made in such a way that protrusion touches person's body, when device is fastened to body, and electronic circuit in device operation includes signaling device, if value of detected sagging of protrusion changes to preliminarily set value with regular movement of person's body.

EFFECT: application of invention makes it possible to increase reliability of control of person's breathing and heartbeat.

17 cl, 8 dwg

Description

This invention relates to the monitoring of human condition. In particular, the invention relates to a device and method for controlling the movement of the body of infants to control breathing, heartbeat, body temperature, and the like.

State of the art

Known devices that have been developed to monitor various conditions of people, in particular infants, to alert caregivers or nannies about changes in the physical condition of babies, for example, impaired body movement, which may indicate impaired breathing and / or heartbeat, a change in humidity, which may indicate wet diapers, a change in temperature, which may indicate an increased temperature of the baby or that he is too hot or cold, and the like.

The purpose of such devices is to draw the attention of the nanny or caregiver to a condition that may require attention and / or immediate resumption of the baby’s breathing, etc. One of the purposes for which such monitoring devices are designed is to detect and pay attention to respiratory arrest (apnea), which can lead to sudden infant death syndrome (SHSM) in newborns.

A device for monitoring breathing control, including a clip for attaching the device to the belt of a garment; in this device, a pressure sensor is located between the garment and the skin, PCT / ZA2004 / 000091.

However, in practice, the change in pressure exerted on such a pressure sensor by the movement of the body of a breathing child is very small, since the device is located in the zone of slight movement. In this case, a comparable pressure change can be caused by uncontrolled factors such as diaper tightness and contraction of the baby’s body during urination and / or stool during sleep. These factors make it difficult to constantly monitor breathing.

An object of the present invention is to provide a practical and reliable device and method for monitoring the movements of a human body, especially a baby, in order to control breathing, heartbeat, body temperature, and the like.

Disclosure of invention

According to a first aspect of the invention, a device for monitoring the regularity of movement of a human body, for example a baby, comprising an electronic circuit including at least one signal device, and attachment means for removably attaching the device to the human body, according to the invention, the device includes an elastic flexible protrusion extending from the device, as well as a sensor associated with the electronic circuit and configured to detect deflection of the protrusion, and the fastening means and the protrusion are made so that the protrusion concerns the human body when the device is attached to the body, and the electronic circuit includes a signaling device if the magnitude of the detected deflection of the protrusion changes to a predetermined value.

For the purposes of this application, the term “refers” refers to any contact, whether direct or indirect, and, in particular, in relation to the contact of the protrusion with the human body. This term includes direct contact between the protrusion and the skin of a person, and also includes indirect contacts between the protrusion and the human body through clothing and the like.

The device may include one or more sensors selected from the following series: a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor and a microphone, and controlling such parameters of the human body as a heartbeat, or body temperature, or detecting when the baby is crying, and / or controlling whether the baby’s environment is clean and dry.

The device may include one or more sensors configured to monitor the state of the body, and the electronic circuit may include a signaling device if a sensor has detected a predetermined event, such as a serious interruption in the heartbeat or a change in body temperature, level increase noise (such as crying) or increased humidity, possibly indicating that the baby needs to change the diaper or bedding.

The fastening means can be made in the form of a clip, which is attached to the element of clothing.

The protrusion may depart from any part of the device in the direction on which the clip is located, in that direction so that when in use it is in contact with the human body. The protrusion can be in any other suitable direction, where it will come into contact with the body of the child during use.

An electronic circuit may include at least one signal device that vibrates at least part of the device and / or emits sound or emits light and / or transmits a signal to another device after it is turned on, and / or any other alarm form.

According to a second aspect of the invention, in a method for monitoring the regular movement of a human body, such as an infant, comprising detachably attaching the above monitoring device to a human body so that the protrusion touches the body according to the invention, the regular movement of the human body relative to the device according to claim 1 is transmitted to the protrusion, causing the protrusion to bend, and the signaling device is turned on if the detected deflection of the protrusion changes to a predetermined value.

The protrusion can be maintained in contact with the human body in the anterior abdominal region of the person, for example, in the immediate vicinity of the center of the abdomen. Preferably, the protrusion, in General, should be maintained in continuous contact with human skin.

A change in the amount of deflection may result from the fact that the interval between successive deflections of the protrusion exceeds a predetermined maximum period, or is less than a predetermined minimum period, or is caused by other changes in the pattern of regular deviations.

The method may include monitoring at least one of the conditions of the human body selected from the following series: heartbeat, body temperature, crying and humidity, as well as the inclusion of an alarm device if any given case is determined in the specified monitoring condition .

The device can be attached to a person’s body by attaching it to a garment.

The signal device may include at least one vibration alarm, and / or sound alarm, and / or light alarm, and / or signal transmission to a remote device, and / or display.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention is further explained in the detailed description of examples of its implementation with reference to the drawings, which depict:

- figure 1 is a device for monitoring the regularity of movement of the human body, top view;

- figure 2 is a device for monitoring, bottom view;

- figure 3 is a schematic illustration of a baby on whom a monitoring device is worn;

- figure 4 is a device for monitoring on the abdomen of the baby, side view;

- figure 5 is an image of the internal electrical components of the device for monitoring;

- figure 6 is a sectional part of the monitoring device of figure 1, side view;

- figure 7 is a device for monitoring according to claim 9, a top view, as well as a remote control;

- Fig.8 is a sectional part of the monitoring device of Fig.7, side view.

The best embodiment of the invention

A device for monitoring the regularity of movement of the human body in the drawings is indicated by 10. The same position is used to indicate functions in various embodiments of the device 10.

The monitoring device of FIGS. 1-6 comprises a housing 12 made of durable polymeric material, in which there is an electronic circuit 14 with a central processor (CPU) mounted on the board 15, and an energy source in the form of a battery 16 supplying electricity to the electronic circuit 14 and to the signal device. The signal device is made in the form of a vibrator (or stimulator) 18, and / or light emitting diodes (LEDs) 19 and / or a sound transducer or buzzer 20. These characteristics of the device 10 are usually configured to perform similar functions of their analogues described in the International Patent PCT / ZA2004 / 000091.

The device 10 on each side has 38 buttons with which they control the on and off of the device and / or the change in its operation mode. The device 10 comprises a battery LED 40 and a normal operation LED 42.

The device 10 has a fastening device in the form of a clamp 22, which extends from the lower part of the housing 12 and which may be an integral part of the housing, as well as a fastening device 44, which is attached to the housing 12, as a collar located around the housing. The clamp 22 is adapted for attachment to parts of the clothing (for example, to the diapers of the baby) and, in order to improve the grip, is provided with protruding teeth 46, which are located on the clamp 22 and on the part of the housing 12 adjacent to the clamp 22. The clamp 22 clearly defines the central hole 48, and the lower part of the housing 12 is limited by an arc 50, enhancing the capture of tissue passing between the clamp 22 and the housing 12.

The device 10 also has a protrusion 24, which is attached to one end of the housing 12 next to the clip 22. The clip 22 and the protrusion 24 are made so that when the device 10 is attached to the garment that is worn on the child, the clip passes from below under the clothes, and the protrusion is in contact with the body of the child, directly with the skin, or indirectly through clothing, etc. The protrusion 24, if possible, moves away from the device 10 at a slight angle, as can be seen in Figures 4 and 6. However, it must be understood that a wide range of configurations of the fastening means allows, in addition to the clamp 22, to use them in a similar manner, and that the protrusion 24 be made in a completely different way, and not be ribbed, tapering in shape, as shown in the drawings.

The protrusion 24 is made of a flexible material, such as soft rubber, which is much softer than the material of the housing 12 and the clamp 22, as a result of which the protrusion 24 can bend quite easily. However, the protrusion material is elastic enough to return to its normal position after it is bent. The sensor 26 is located inside the protrusion 24, is configured to detect its deflection and is connected to the electronic circuit 14 to supply a signal to it when the protrusion bends. The sensor 26 may be made in the form of a piezoelectric sensor or the like.

In use, when it is necessary to monitor the movement of the baby’s body 28, as shown in FIG. 3, to prevent apnea, abnormal breathing, abnormal functioning of the heart, etc., the device 10 is attached to the baby’s body by attaching it to the belt 30 of the diaper 32, or as a garment with a clip 22 that extends from the bottom of the diaper and the protrusion 24 makes contact with the skin of the baby 34 on the stomach, as shown in FIG. 4. It should be understood that the protrusion 24 is directed upward, against its normal springing position when it is in the position shown in FIG. 4. The result of this is that due to the elasticity, the protrusion 24 is pressed against the skin 34, so that contact with the skin, as a rule, is maintained, mainly, even if the diaper 32 is weak or becomes weak after wearing.

When the infant 28 breathes, the volume of its lungs regularly changes, usually at a rhythmic pace, which causes the front (upper) surface of the tummy to move (rise and fall) in the direction indicated by the number 36 in Figure 4, and causes the shape of the body or skin to change 34. At the same time, the part of the body, in the region below the belt 30, and the part of the diaper 32, closer to the inguinal region, are less prone to movement, and its movement is inhibited to some extent by the diaper. Accordingly, there is a relative movement between the body part of the child in contact with the clamp 22 and the body part in contact with the protrusion 24. It should be understood that the baby 28 is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 face down, in this position the movement of the front surface of its abdomen is especially noticeable, but movement is also noticeable when the child is lying on its side.

The relative movement of the skin 34 in various areas of the body and, in particular, changes in the shape of the skin in these areas, causes the protrusion 24 to bend relative to the device 10 in the direction 36, while the deflection of the protrusion 24 is controlled by the sensor 26 and transmitted to the circuit 14. Scheme 14 is configured to control the relatively regular movements of the abdomen (via the protrusion 24 and the sensor 26) and to turn on one or more alarms if the regular movement changes from the programmed value.

The configuration parameters of the circuit determine when the alarm should be turned on without restriction, but they can be configured to trigger an alarm when the period between successive deflections of the protrusion 24 is longer than the calculated time (perhaps this is caused by apnea), or if it is too short (caused by possibly hyperventilation or asphyxiation). In the future, the scheme can be configured with a certain degree of intelligence to anticipate the respiratory rhythm of the infant 28, to filter out or ignore anomalies when the child sighs, yawns, etc., without raising an alarm, etc.

When the electronic circuit 14 includes an alarm, it may include a vibrator 18, and / or a light emitting device, in particular a light emitting diode 19, and / or a sound transducer, in particular a buzzer 20. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the circuit 14 is configured to turn on the vibrator 18 after detection lack of breathing for about fifteen seconds and the buzzer 20 is turned on after detecting a lack of breathing for about twenty seconds, although these settings can be changed. The vibrator 18 can be located anywhere in the device 10, and if it is turned on, that is, it will vibrate, the skin 34 of the child 28 will feel the vibration. Vibration should wake the infant 28 and / or provoke a response to overcome possible apnea or other conditions, such as SHSM, cessation of breathing, movement, etc.

The light emitting LED 19 and the buzzer 20 are designed to draw attention to the child 28 of the nanny or another person looking after the child.

Similarly, the movement of the abdomen is controlled to control the breathing of the infant 28. The protrusion 24 should be sensitive enough to detect abdominal movement caused by the baby’s heartbeat, and circuit 14 should be configured to trigger an alarm when the heartbeat deviates from the normal regular rhythm to a predetermined limit.

The device 10 and its use have been described in relation to the infant 28, but it should be understood that the device can also be used for adults, for example, patients who are prone to respiratory failure in a dream, with appropriate adjustment if necessary.

The device 10 of FIGS. 7 and 8 comprises a display 52, made in particular in the form of a liquid crystal (LCD) screen that displays information used to monitor parameters such as heart rate, body temperature, alarm status, etc. . In addition, the device 10 can be controlled wirelessly from the transceiver from the remote control 54 of the remote control power supply, which in turn can include a display 56 or any other signal devices mentioned in relation to the device 10 shown in FIGS. 1-6.

The device includes a number of additional sensors, in particular, a humidity sensor 60 for monitoring humidity in the immediate vicinity of the baby, which includes an alarm device (18, 19, 20, 52) with increasing humidity, which indicates that the child may be wet or dirty; a temperature sensor 62 monitoring a child’s body temperature; a microphone 66 detecting when the baby is crying; and a gyroscope or accelerometer 64 that controls the movement or activity of the child.

In other forms of execution of the invention, the protrusion 24 may depart from any part of the housing 12, for example from the upper part of the housing 12, at an angle, which allows it to touch the skin of the child. In addition, the protrusion 24 may have an edge of relatively solid material, forming a spring flexible hinge.

Claims (17)

1. A device for monitoring the regular movement of the human body, for example a baby, containing an electronic circuit including at least one signal device, and fastening means for removably attaching the device to the human body, characterized in that the device includes an elastic flexible protrusion, outgoing from the device, as well as a sensor associated with an electronic circuit and configured to detect deflection of the protrusion, and the fastening means and the protrusion are made so that the protrusion touches the human body when the device is replicated to the body, and the electronic circuit includes a signaling device, if the magnitude of the detected deflection of the protrusion changes to a predetermined value. 2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the device includes at least one sensor configured to monitor the state of the body, and the electronic circuit includes a signal device in the event that a predetermined event is detected using the sensor. 3. The device according to claim 2, characterized in that at least one sensor is selected from among: a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor and a microphone. 4. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the fastening means is made in the form of a clip, which is attached to the element of clothing. 5. The device according to claim 4, characterized in that said protrusion extends from any part of the device near the side on which the clip is located, in such a direction that it touches the human body. 6. The device according to one of the preceding paragraphs, characterized in that the electronic circuit includes at least one signal device that causes vibration of at least part of the device. 7. The device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the electronic circuit includes at least one signal device that emits sound. 8. The device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the electronic circuit includes at least one signal device emitting light. 9. The device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the electronic circuit includes at least one signal device that transmits a signal to another device after it is turned on. 10. A method for monitoring the regular movement of a human body, such as an infant, comprising removably attaching the device according to claim 1 to the human body so that the protrusion touches the human body, characterized in that the regular movement of the human body relative to the device according to claim 1 is transmitted to the protrusion causing the protrusion to bend, and the signal device turns on if the amount of detected deflection of the protrusion changes to a predetermined value. 11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that the protrusion is maintained in contact with the human body in the anterior abdominal region. 12. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that the protrusion, in General, support in continuous contact with human skin. 13. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that said change in the amount of deflection is the result of the fact that the interval between successive deflections of the protrusion exceeds a predetermined maximum period. 14. The method according to one of claims 10 to 13, characterized in that said change in the amount of deflection is the result of the fact that the interval between successive deflections of the protrusion is less than a predetermined minimum period. 15. The method according to one of paragraphs.10-13, characterized in that the method includes monitoring at least one of the conditions of the human body selected from the following series: heartbeat, body temperature, crying and humidity, and switching on the alarm device in case any given case is defined in the state indicated by the monitoring. 16. The method according to one of claims 10 to 13, characterized in that the device according to claim 1 is attached to the human body by attaching it to an item of clothing. 17. The method according to one of paragraphs.10-13, characterized in that the signal device includes at least one vibration alarm, and / or sound alarm, and / or light alarm, and / or signal transmission to a remote device, and / or display.

Images